SIR Alex Ferguson has told FIFA president Sepp Blatter to stop poking his nose into Manchester United's business and concentrate on the big issues facing the game.

Blatter's claim that Ferguson and England coach Sven-Goran Eriksson need to rein in temperamental teenager Wayne Rooney has irritated Old Trafford officials, who feel they are perfectly capable of handling the young striker's development.

At a time when Rooney is having to cope with the demands of being the most talked about player in the game, Blatter's forceful intervention has not been viewed as being particularly helpful to the player or the people trying to guide him.

And while Ferguson insists he agrees with some of Blatter's opinions, notably his concerns about club ownership, which appeared pointedly directed towards Roman Abramovich rather than United's US-based owner Malcolm Glazer, he thinks soccer's senior administrator should spend more time addressing issues such as African players being spirited en-masse out of their own continent by unscrupulous clubs and agents.

"Sepp Blatter is a very influential person who says many things and people do listen to him," said the United boss.

Concern

"Some of those things are very interesting and worthwhile, particularly when he is talking about club ownership because there is a concern for everyone there.

"We also hear talk that certain clubs are signing up 30 African-born boys at a time. That should be a concern as well.

"These are major issues which I don't think FIFA ever take up.

"They seem quite happy to take up smaller issues, like talking about a 19-year-old Manchester United player, rather than pursue the really important issues in the game."

It is not the first time Blatter has offered unwanted opinions on a United player. The Swiss also claimed Rio Ferdinand was fortunate to receive an eight-month ban for his missed drugs test, a statement which did not endear him to the Old Trafford faithful.

On that occasion too, Ferguson jumped in to deflect attention away from his player, not that Rooney needs too much help to keep his mind focused on football.

Exceptional

Former England boss Glenn Hoddle is among a growing band of senior soccer men convinced Rooney can guide England to World Cup glory next summer.

Ferguson's fierce Scottish pride prevented him from going that far but he does recognise what a special talent he acquired when he spent £27million to sign Rooney from Everton last September.

"Wayne is an exceptional young player, no question about that," Ferguson told Century FM.

"He has a competitive edge about him few players of his age have.

"He has not exceeded my expectations because even before I signed him, I felt he was the best young player England have produced for decades - better than Paul Gascoigne.

"The desire to get him was obvious and I am just so delighted we managed it."